Geology and base metals perspectives of Kalahari Belt in Botswana

Abstract

Macroscopic and microscopic observations on borehole samples from the northwest part of Botswana demonstrate that the Xaudum Group contains sedimentary rocks metamorphosed to amphibolite grade. These are mainly meta-mudstone and -siltstone, which are locally banded. Reflected light analysis showed that the main mineralization hosted in these metasediments is pyrrhotite and pyrite with minor presence of magnetite, hematite and chalcopyrite. This paper provides detailed suggestions that such mineral assemblage in combination with sedimentary host rocks of marine provenance can indicate presence of stratiform base metal deposits in Northwestern Botswana. Therefore the Kalahari Copperbelt in Botswana may host ore deposits similar in structure and mineralogy to those in the world’s greatest copper-cobalt province, the Central Africa Copperbelt, but probably located below 190 metres depth.